Final Exam

In my classes I don’t have to give oral exams at the end of the school year; I can test along the way, give mid-terms, and/or a Final Exam. The (Western)Pastoral Counselling course was still quite new, but our Dean wanted it to do well. Therefore, I had cooperated when a young couple had begun attending, the two of them alternating in class attendance because someone had to be at home with their 3 year-old, they said.

Final Exam day arrived. The three of them arrived.. Mom and Dad sat down with the other students and began working on the exam questions. Frequently, the 3 year-old wanted to know what they were doing, or wanted to be held, or was hungry. Never did she bother anyone but her parents. One or the other would perch her on a knee, get her engaged with her toys, let her get into the lunch bag, explain what question they were now answering, show her pictures in her book, etc., etc., etc., always in a whisper, always lovingly.

I was completely fascinated by the process and admiring of the parents’ care! I saw no sign of frustration from their concentration being interrupted, no impatience that she was thirsty again. The parents finished their exam along with my other students, packed up all their bits and pieces, and exited. I followed them out to let them know that I felt I’d just witnessed a kind of miracle, and to affirm with them that they are doing a superb job of parenting and studenting! (They both passed the exam.)

Coralyn T. Medyesy, Missionary in Hungary

Coralyn Medyesy is a missionary with the Reformed Church in Hungary, based in Budapest, Hungary. She serves as a Teacher of Social Work and Diakonia at the Nagy Koros School.